In the series of immigration adjustments which involve tighter requirements and higher travel fees, a latest addition has been announced by the Kuwaiti government particularly concerning foreign nationals planning to visit Kuwait.
While this seems to align with the government’s bid to control the number of expats in the country, especially in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan, which is expected to draw in a high number of visitors and tourists into the country.
Gov’t to Determine Visit Visa Duration Based on Applicant’s Financial Status
Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Residency Affairs Maj Gen Talal Maarafi sanctioned residency department directors across various governates in the country to evaluate expats’ visit visa applications, and to grant them one- to three-month visit visas based on certain requirements such as the sponsors’ financial capacity to make sure that they are fully capable of hosting the visitors, specifically parents, as shared in a report by the Kuwait Times.
On this regard, tourist visas will be valid for up to three months and issued to Europeans and resident expats’ wives and children, while commercial or family visit visas for relatives other than wives and children will be limited to one month.
In relation to this, Public Authority for Civil Information Director Musaed Al-Assousi emphasized that after the interior ministry has put into effect its decision to cancel residency stickers (iqama), expats’ Civil ID cards will be used as both official identification and residency documents.
Assousi noted that all types of residency visas will now be issued without residency stickers, except for temporary visas issued according to Article 14. Moreover the director also noted that data reflected in Civil IDs have been redesigned to include names in English and passport numbers.
Meanwhile, the decision to impose the additional KD 8 on airline ticket fees by the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been suspended by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, noting that the adjustment will hurt the pockets of citizens. The initial decision to impose this additional fee was set to be put into effect starting April 1.